Improvement in pianos



2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

T.KATER.

Pianos. No 146 459 Patentedlan.13,1874.

fiwzzior.

UNITED A STATES PATENT @FFIOE.

THOMAS KATER, OF HAMILTON, CANADA.

IMPROVEMENT IN PIANOS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 146,459, dated Jantary13, 1874; application filed December 29, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS KATER, of Hamilton, WVentworth county, of theProvince of Ontario, in the Dominion of Canada, have in vented certainnew and useful Improvements in Scale for Constructing and StringingPianos,

of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to a novel mode of constructing and stringing apiano, whereby the blank spaces usually left in ordinary pianos areutilized or dispensed with, and a more equal or regular distribution ofthe strings effected.

This invention consists in recessin g the treble bar of the iron frame,so as to enable the space under the same to be occupied by a note, ortwo or more of the treble strings, the recess being formed in the saidbar in a plane above and parallel with the iron frame, which will enablethe strings throughout the entire scale to be placed at a fartherdistance apart, by reason of the space thus gained, and each string,passing under the treble bar, will be free from, or out of directcontact with, the base of the treble bar and the upper surface of theiron frame, the blank spaces which are left at other points of the scalein ordinary pianos being also occupied, which will be conducive ofsecuring more space for the keys and hammers, thus obviatin g thecrowding of the hammers and the cut ting away of the same, and securinga better and increased tone, as the strings and hammers are equallydistributed in proper relation to each other, and the vibration of thestrings from the tuning-pins to the hitchingpins secured and utilized.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan or top view of an iron frame forpianos, showing the arrangement of the strings composing a note inrespect to the treble bar. Fig. 2 is a trans verse section on the line00 w of Fi 1. Fig. 3 is a section of the treble bar, taken on the line 3y of Fig. 1. Fig. at is a plan view illustrating the arrangement of thestrings in respect to the keys according to my invention. 7

In the ordinary mode of stringing pianos, considerable space is lost ornot occupied between the groups of strings and at the treble end of thescale, which is conducive of bringing about a crowded state of thehammers and keys at different points, necessitating, in certaininstances, the cutting away or paring off of the hammers, in order tomake room for their proper action on the strings. In order to avoidthese defects, and other disadvantages incidental to a crowded state orunequal distribu tion of the strings and hammers, I propose to arrangethe strings of a piano throughout the entire scale in such respect orjuxtaposition to each other that all the blank spaces heretofore leftare occupied or utilized, which will cause the strings to be moreequally distributed, additional space being also left between thestrings, as will be obvious. In order to carry out this result, Icontemplate, in the first instance, to utilize the space which isusually left beneath the treble bar A of the iron frame B by arrangingunder and longitudinally through said bar a note, consisting of two,three, or more, of the treble strings O, which will permit the stringsthroughout the entire scale to be arranged at farther distances apart,by reason of the additional space thus secured or gained. The recess isformed in a plane parallel with and above the iron plate, so that thestrings will be out of contact with the base of the treble bar, and theupper surface of the iron frame at all points between the hitchingpinsand. tuning-pins, whereby a free and full vibration of the strings iseffected between the hitching and tuning pins; and, further, a downbearing is secured, neither of which results could be as well obtainedwhen the recess or channel in the bar was inclined with respect to theiron frame, as has been heretofore done, and the strings made to bearupon a depending projection formed beneath the bar below and in front ofthe openin The blank spaces generally left at the point where two groupsof strings separate or radiate in opposite directions is also obviatedby arranging the bridges in such relation to each other, and with thesounding-board and tuning block bridge, that the strings to are disposedas shown in Fig. 4E. The strings, as represented, are so ar ranged inrespect to the striking line I), which is located between the soundingboard and frame, that they are equidistant apart throughout said line,so as to cause the hammers to strike the same with equal effect. Thetreble bar A, which extends diagonally across the iron frame, isrecessed or channeled at lts rear end, as shown at D, so as to enable anote com.

posed of the treble strings to be passed through the opcnin g thusformed, their ends being then attached to the tuning-pins E. Theopposite ends of the strings are fastened to a hitchingpin, F, which islocated under the treble bar, by causing the edge iron frame to extendor project forward under the treble bar, in order to form a recess orpoint of attachment for the hitching-pin. The number of hitching-pinsand strings which are located under the treble bar may be increased ordiminished, according to the size of the bar; as, for example, if twostrings are employed to form a note, one hitching-pin and twotuning-pins are employed; and it three strings are resorted to, twohitchingpins and three tuning-pins are used. In certain instances it isalso proposed to groove or channel the sides of the treble bar, for thepassage of the strings; but this mode is generally objectionable, as itwill tend to weaken the treble bar.

By my mode of stringing pianos, I obtain several important advantages,for, by dispensing with the blank spaces, a larger hammer can beemployed, as the strings are more reg nlarly and proportionatelydistributed, which will obviate the cutting away or paring off of thehammers, in order to prevent the same from interfering with each other;and, further more, it is easier to produce by my arrangement of stringsa regular striking line 5 and the hammers are arranged in position withmore case and facility, as the same are not crowded, in consequence ofwhich a true position is secured, and the tone of the instrui'nentimproved and augmented.

It will, of course, be apparent that due provision by proportion must bemade for the va riation in the size of the hammers and, therefore, thestrings must be arranged at such regular distances apart and the blankspaces so utilized as will not interfere with the free operation of thehammers upon the strings. The string recess, channel, or opening in thetreble bar may be formed in the process of manufacture, or may be madesubsequently by drill ing; or the treble may be formed separately ofwrought or cast iron, and afterward secured upon the iron frame.

It is, of course, understood that it is within the province of myinvention to employ, at various other locations on the iron frame, abar, A, recessed or channeled as the treble bar, to receive the stringscomposing various notes.

I claim as my invention-- The treble bar of an iron frame for pianos,provided with a channel, D, formed in the bar parallel with and abovethe iron frame, for the passage of the strings composing a treble note,so that the strings will be out of contact with the iron frame and baseof the treble bar, as herein shown, for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this29th day of December, 1873.

THOMAS KATEP.

Vitnesses:

JAMES L. Nomns, WM. J. PnY'roN.

